Talk of the Towns, Oct. 30, 2018

Story hour:​​​​​​​ Cushman Library at 28 Church St. offers Story Hour, Wednesdays between 4 and 5 p.m. to families with children of all ages. Each gathering features thematic stories, craft and snack. Bonnie Declamp, Wendy Abramson and Karen Stinchfield take turns as presenters.

Wednesday Night Knitters: Cushman Library at 28 Church St., invites knitters of all abilities to join the Wednesday Night Knitters every Wednesday between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Participants each working on their own projects, are welcome to enjoy the company of others while everyone works toward completing their individual projects. Rebecca Lawlor offers her expertise and experience as instructor. for more information, contact 413-648-5402 or cushmanlibrary@yahoo.com.

Brattleboro, Vt.

Grief Support: Two adult grief support groups, one for suicide loss, and one for men who are grieving, has started at Brattleboro Area Hospice. Both groups are free and will meet at the hospice office at 191 Canal St. Suicide loss can be an especially lonely experience, and people experiencing this kind of loss find it helpful to talk with others who have been affected by it. The new suicide loss support group meets the first and third Thursday of the month from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. in the downstairs kitchen at hospice. This group is for adults who have lost a loved one to suicide. Drop-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is appreciated by calling 257-0775, ext. 104. Men often grieve differently than women, and many men find it easier to express their grief in the company of other men. The men’s grief support group will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at hospice. This group for men who are grieving a death loss of any type. Advanced registration is required before attending. Call Cicely Carroll at 413-257-0775, ext. 108 for information.

Greenfield

The Food Bank’s November Brown Bag food distribution for qualifying seniors will be Thursday, November 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St.

Greenfield Moose Family Center: A pasta meal is served Wednesday 6 p.m. at the center. the cost is $7. Open to members and guests. A line dance is at 7.

The RECOVER Project: The RECOVER Project hosts a daily “All Recovery Meeting” each morning Monday to Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m at 68 Federal St. Open to all to discuss recovery. All walks of recovery welcome. Meetings are held in the front community room. “Eddie’s Group” is held every Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m. in the RPX. Please come join us. For more information call: 413-774-5489.

Family United Network: The Family United Network (FUN) Center is at The Salasin Center, 474 Main St. Open hours are Thursdays, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Fun for the whole family; all ages welcome. For more information, contact Stacey at 413-774-4307, ext. 4, or email slangknecht@wmtcinfo.org.

Al-Anon: Struggles for Intimacy, Thursday, 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., Recover Project, 68 Federal St. Anyone who feels her/his life has been affected by close contact with a problem drinker is eligible for membership in Al-Anon or Alateen. Al-Anon is online at www.al-anon.org.

Shelburne

Tai Chi led by Lois Bascom runs every Thursday morning from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Senior Center. Movements follow the program designed by Dr. Lam with easy forms and repetition. Good for improving balance and stability. Program is open to all.

Turners Falls

FAFSA Day Massachusetts: Free help applying for financial aid for college bound students will be offered Sunday at 1 p.m. at Turners Falls High School. Students and families can get help filling the FAFSA, a federally required form for all students seeking financial aid. Financial aid experts will provide families with one-to-one assistance in completing the FAFSA form. The services are free and available to anyone entering college for the 2018-2019 academic year. Low income, first generation students are especially encouraged to attend. This is the closet FAFSA Day site in the area. To register or more information, go to www.FAFSAday.org.

Emergency Basic Needs program: this is a program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries and is open Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, for resources and referrals. If you have questions or want to make an appointment, call Mary at 413-863-4804, ext. 1002, or email BasicNeeds@mcsmcommunity.org. to access Emergency Basic Needs, buzz No. 103 at the Moltenbrey entrance on Third Street.

Open Hours at the Women’s Center at MCSM: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. are open to all women. Computer lab available, community resources, peer support, arts and crafts, free gently used clothing. For more information, call 413-863-4804, ext. 1003 or email christine@mcsmcommunity.org. Program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries.

Playgroup: A program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries meets Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 78 Avenue A. This informal, drop in playgroup for parents, caregivers and children younger than 8 offers music, movement and other early literacy activities, unstructured playtime, and time for parent to connect, a kids Clothing Exchange and a parent Resource lending Library. For more information, contact Mary King at 413-863-4804, ext. 1005 or email mary.king@gmrsd.com.

Regional

RSVP volunteer program: RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) helps adults who are 55 and older find meaningful local volunteer opportunities. Share your life time of experience, meet new friends and help nonprofits in your community who depend on volunteer assistance. Contact Pat Sicard at 413-584-1300, ext. 183 or email psicard@hampshirecog.org.

Community meals: Wednesdays, Salvation Army, 72 Chapman St. Breakfast from 8 to 10; coffee and soup, 10 to 11, and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. Also on Wednesdays, Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square, 5:30 p.m.

Child Care/Preschool/Home-visiting: The Parent-Child Development Center, serving families with children birth to kindergarten age and expectant women for more than 40 years, offers free Head Start preschool, free head Start and early Head Start home visiting programs and child care in Franklin/Hampshire counties. Spanish speaking services available. Call 475-1405.

ICRC at LifePath: The Information and Caregiver Resource Center at LifePath has answers to all your questions about elder services/caregiver support. LifePath resource consultants are experts in finding the information you need to solve any problem. If we don’t have the answer, we will find someone who can help you. Contact ICRC at LifePath at 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259.

Free mediation: Landlords/tenants can save money and time using free eviction prevention mediation services. The Mediation & Training Collaborative is offering meditation at no cost to help resolve housing related problems before they go to court. for more information call 413-475-1504 or 413-475-1503.

Foster Care Review: Volunteers needed to serve on three person panels making decisions about children in foster care. Volunteers are needed in Greenfield and Holyoke. volunteers must be 18 or older and participate in a day and a half training. For an application and more information, contact Carol Judd at 413-452-3373 or email: carol.judd@statema.us.

Lawyer Referral Service website: Massachusetts Bar Association has launched a new lawyer Referral Service Website www.MassLawhelp.com with answers to the most common legal questions and serves as an online channel for the LRS to connect members of the public with local attorney who have the appropriate experience.

Consumer Information Library: Need to find current information about health care and treatment? The Community Health Information Center at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 164 High St., Greenfield, is a great source for consumer health information. Across from the main lobby desk, the center is open to the public for health information and research on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon, and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to noon. for more information, call 413-773-2319.

Franklin Area Survival Center: The Thrift Store at the Franklin Area Survival Center is Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food Pantry hours remain the same, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1;30 p.m. the center is at 96 Fourth St., Turners Falls.

Breastfeeding Support Group: The group meets Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to noon, Obstetrics Classroom, third floor of Baystate Franklin Medical Center, led by Suzanne Stoneham. The group is for mothers who are breastfeeding infants (moms are welcome to bring their infants to the group). for more information, call the Birth Place at BFMC at 413-773-2359.

Stutterers Support Group: A support group for persons who stutter, sponsored by the national Stuttering Association and led by Carla.